April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
What is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month?
More than nine in 10 people will survive bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, many people do not know the symptoms of bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer UK is the leading bowel cancer charity in the country. The charity was founded in 1987 due to the inadequacy of bowel cancer treatments for patients. Today, it aims to provide support for those affected by bowel cancer. It also campaigns for better diagnosis and care for people with bowel cancer.
April is bowel cancer awareness month. In light of this, Bowel Cancer UK is running a campaign throughout the whole of April and the theme for this year’s campaign is #PassItOn! The campaign is encouraging people to share their experiences and advice about bowel cancer.
You can take part in the campaign by volunteering as a Bowel Cancer Awareness Month Champion. This opportunity allows you to help others in your community to know the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. You also have the chance to sign up for ActiveApril which allows people to raise money towards the cause by being active throughout April. Finally, you can book your free place at a bowel cancer awareness talk here.
What can increase my risk of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. There is no known cause of bowel cancer, but certain things can increase your risk.
These include:
- Other people in your family having bowel cancer
- You are over the age of 50
- If you have had polyps (non-cancerous growths) in your bowel
- If you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
- If you have type 2 diabetes
- Certain lifestyle choices including drinking and smoking
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
The main symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
- Blood in your poo
- Losing weight without a reason
- Feeling very tired
- Bleeding from your bottom
- A lump in your tummy
- Pain in your tummy
- Diarrhoea or constipation that may come and go
It is important to remember that not everyone will get all of these symptoms.
What should I do if I or someone I know is experiencing these symptoms?
The NHS has a bowel cancer screening programme which targets those aged between 50 and 74 years. If you are in this age group, you will be automatically sent a screening kit – called the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) – every two years. You need to be registered with a GP to take part.
If you are aged 75 or over, you can request a test by calling the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 and asking for the test. Screening means bowel cancer might be caught before it even causes symptoms. Another benefit is that the test can help discover polyps (non-cancerous growths) which may develop into cancer later on. Once found, these can be removed.
Regardless of your age, if you experience symptoms for three weeks or more, contact your GP as soon as possible. This is because anyone can be at risk of bowel cancer even if they do not qualify for bowel cancer screening.
To find out more about bowel cancer screening, visit the NHS website.
